PlayStation Error Code NP-44990-1 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

NP-44990-1 means PlayStation Network could not complete your purchase or payment transaction. Your card was not charged, and nothing was bought. This is almost always caused by a payment method issue or a temporary PSN problem — not a console fault.

Affected Models

PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 Slim
PlayStation 4 Pro
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

Common Causes

The credit or debit card saved to your account has expired or been replaced
Your bank blocked the transaction as a precaution for an online purchase
The billing address on your PSN account does not match your bank records
PlayStation Network's payment servers experienced a temporary glitch
Your PSN account has a spending restriction or parental control limit set

How to Fix It

Check your payment method. On your PS4 or PS5, go to Settings > Account Management > Account Information > Wallet > Payment Methods. Verify your card details, expiry date, and billing address are correct.

An expired card is the most common cause of this error. Even if you got a new card with the same number, the expiry date will have changed.
Remove your saved card and re-add it. Delete the existing payment method and enter all the details fresh. This forces the system to re-verify your card.

Sometimes saved payment data becomes outdated after your bank issues a replacement card.
Try purchasing PlayStation Wallet credit instead of paying directly. Buy a PlayStation Store gift card from a supermarket or newsagent and add the funds to your wallet. Then use your wallet balance to buy the game.

This completely bypasses card payment issues and is a reliable workaround.
Call your bank. Ask them to check if the PSN transaction was blocked. Banks sometimes flag gaming platform charges as suspicious, especially the first time.

Ask them to whitelist PlayStation Network transactions so future purchases go through.
Try the purchase on a different device. Log into your PlayStation account on a web browser at store.playstation.com and attempt the purchase there.

If the purchase works on the website, the issue may be specific to how the console is connecting to PSN.

When to Call a Professional

NP-44990-1 is an account or payment issue — no repair technician is needed. If your payment details look correct and the error persists, contact PlayStation Support. You can also contact your bank to check if they are blocking the transaction on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was my card charged even though the purchase failed?

No. Error NP-44990-1 means the transaction did not go through. Your card was not charged. If you see a pending charge on your bank statement, it should disappear within a few business days as it was never fully processed.

Can I buy PS Store games without a credit card?

Yes. PlayStation Store gift cards are available at supermarkets, electronics stores, and newsagents. You can also use PayPal if it is available in your country. Simply add the gift card code to your wallet and use the balance to make purchases.

Why does PSN keep rejecting my card even though the details are correct?

Some banks require you to register your card for online or international transactions before it will work. Contact your bank and ask them to enable 'card not present' or 'online purchases' for your account. Alternatively, check if there is a spending limit set on your card that the purchase exceeds.